Jarrell

Jarrell ISD board President Crystal Phalen (left) and Vice President Jenny Arnold cut the ribbon officially opening the new 1916 Building on August 21.

Jarrell ISD board President Crystal Phalen (left) and Vice President Jenny Arnold cut the ribbon officially opening the new 1916 Building on August 21.

Jarrell ISD celebrates rebirth of iconic 1916 Building

The Jarrell community turned out Wednesday, August 21, to cut the blue ribbon and officially open JISD’s new 1916 Building. Two years ago, old bricks — rubble from the original 1916 Building deemed unsalvageable due to age and condition — were piled on the site.
1916 Building ribbon-cutting

1916 Building ribbon-cutting

Jarrell ISD celebrates rebirth of iconic 1916 Building

The Jarrell community turned out Wednesday, August 21, to cut the blue ribbon and officially open JISD’s new 1916 Building, a replica of the original.Two years ago, old bricks — rubble from the original 1916 Building deemed unsalvageable — were piled on the site.
County Commissioner Valerie Covey of Precinct 3 presents the current state and expansion ideas for the County Jail and Justice Center during the August 20 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey of Precinct 3 presents the current state and expansion ideas for the County Jail and Justice Center during the August 20 commissioners court meeting. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County evaluating jail expansion, rework

The Williamson County Commissioners Court will implement a plan to provide short-term space to the Williamson County Jail beginning in October. Commissioner Valerie Covey Tuesday, August 20, discussed expanding the county jail and Justice Center to accommodate Wilco’s growing population.

Judge temporarily blocks TEA release of district, campus ratings

Texas public school parents must wait a while longer to learn how their children’s schools performed in the Texas Education Agency’s A-F accountability ratings.Travis County Judge Karin Crump issued a temporary restraining order August 12 blocking TEA from issuing 2024 campus and district...
County Commissioner Valerie Covey presents her idea on how the death investigators would function if the county were to adopt them in the budget. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County Commissioner Valerie Covey presents her idea on how the death investigators would function if the county were to adopt them in the budget. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County Commissioners deliberate death investigator role in budget workshop

For the second week in a row, Williamson County budget talks August 13 greatly focused on a request from Wilco’s four justices of the peace, who have asked for support to alleviate the growing demand that death inquests put on their offices.
Wilco Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county during the August 6 Commissioners Court meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Wilco Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay presents the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the county during the August 6 Commissioners Court meeting at the historic courthouse. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County budget could go up 8.7 percent for FY 2025

Williamson County’s preliminary budget for the 2025 fiscal year shows an estimated $609 million in total expenditures. The budget was presented to county commissioners by Budget Officer Ashlie Holladay during a preliminary budget discussion on Tuesday, August 6.
Bill Pickett

Bill Pickett

Cattleman’s Ball honors area rodeo performer

The Williamson Museum’s Cattleman’s Ball is heading to Round Rock this fall, and legendary cowboy Bill Pickett will be honored at the event for his impact on Texas and American history.
All four county Justices of the Peace give a presentation on the need for a medical examiner in Leander on July 25. From left to right: KT Musselman, Angela Williams, Evelyn McLean, Rhonda Redden. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

All four county Justices of the Peace give a presentation on the need for a medical examiner in Leander on July 25. From left to right: KT Musselman, Angela Williams, Evelyn McLean, Rhonda Redden. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Death Cases Stacking Up Part 2

Editor’s note: This is part two of a series examining the multi-layered issue of Williamson County lacking a coroner's office. Part one explained the situation at hand and can be accessed online or in the July 24 print edition. The final installment is scheduled to be published on August 11.
Dave Porter, executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, gives the annual presentation to the County Commissioners July 30. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Dave Porter, executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, gives the annual presentation to the County Commissioners July 30. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Williamson County EDP shares industry projects, employment standing

Williamson County is expected to get seven new multi-million dollar businesses from four different industries in the coming years. Executive Director Dave Porter of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership said Wilco is the “pacesetter” for economic growth in the area.